Rugby Union

[Oswyntail]

Does anyone know why Rugby Internationals (and indeed Cricket ones) are referred to as Test Matches, whilst similar football games are not ?

A relatively recent development, IIRC. In my youth, Union matches were called "Internationals", while League were "Tests". Perhaps as the two codes intermingled, the latter prevailed.

 

[ainsworth74]

Does anyone know why Rugby Internationals (and indeed Cricket ones) are referred to as Test Matches, whilst similar football games are not ?

As far as I'm aware in Cricket a Test Match is so called as playing over five days (or whatever the length depending on the era as it has been shorter and longer before settling on five days) is considered a 'test' of strength of the two teams.

 

[Hornet]

Does anyone know why Rugby Internationals (and indeed Cricket ones) are referred to as Test Matches, whilst similar football games are not ?

Please don't confuse those overpaid, underachieving wendyball wimps with proper sportsmen.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Please don't confuse those overpaid, underachieving wendyball wimps with proper sportsmen.

I know that the England Rugby Union team were well below par in terms of management and playing in this World Cup. Could your phraseology above be an apt description of them at present?

One matter to cheer me up, having to watch the ITV coverage, is that there are now going to be very few broadcasts left where some faceless woman's voice will be heard giving voice to such words as "WAAAAHHHHN" in trailer clips.

 

[Butts]

South Africa 18 - 20 New Zealand - so the All Blacks make it to a fourth World Cup Final. (just !!)

Looking forward to see whether Australia or Argentina will join them.
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So it's The All Blacks against the Wallabies.....

who do we fancy ?

Everyone seems to have lost interest since the Home Nations - particularly England were knocked out.

 

[richw]

If Australia play like they did in the group stages they will do it, but if they play like they did in the knock out games New Zealand will beat them.


Glad to see Nigel Owens refereeing the final. Best ref in this tournament by quite a way.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Sam Burgess is said to be considering a reverse code switch to Rugby League and a possible return to a southern hemisphere club. Being left out of the England Rugby Union squad in the final group stage match was something that has made him consider his future in this code.

 

[Oswyntail]

Sam Burgess is said to be considering a reverse code switch to Rugby League and a possible return to a southern hemisphere club. Being left out of the England Rugby Union squad in the final group stage match was something that has made him consider his future in this code.

He is also said to be committed to staying with Bath! Typically of English sport, everyone seems to be trying to stab everyone else in the back. If Burgess is thought to be going back to league, that "proves" Lancaster was wrong to select him; if that is because Lancaster did not select him in the final squad "proves" Lancaster has mishandled him. It is pathetic to see the likes of Stuart Barnes and Paul Ackford using the situation to settle old scores, blaming Rob Andrew for everything.
The truth is that no A-list team at this World cup has played consistently well, though there have been a couple of exceptional performances.
Given it's McCaw's last match, I expect the ABs to win, as he wll be allowed to "push the envelope" as far as he wants.:roll:

 

[Tetchytyke]

Given it's McCaw's last match, I expect the ABs to win, as he wll be allowed to "push the envelope" as far as he wants.:roll:

Indeed. As far as I'm concerned he should have been banned for this match, but World Rugby have all the spine of Nick Clegg.

I don't see us getting within 20 points of the Kiwis, but obviously I hope I'm wrong.

Sam Burgess is said to be considering a reverse code switch to Rugby League and a possible return to a southern hemisphere club. Being left out of the England Rugby Union squad in the final group stage match was something that has made him consider his future in this code.

Bath (and not the RFU) spent an awful lot of money buying him out of his contract in Sydney. I can't imagine that they would be terribly happy at losing that investment, especially with the way the dispute about the salary cap in the Premiership is still rumbling on.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Glad to see Nigel Owens refereeing the final. Best ref in this tournament by quite a way.

My wife, who rises earlier than me occasionally, said Nigel Owens received a mention on an early morning television channel this morning.
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Bath (and not the RFU) spent an awful lot of money buying him out of his contract in Sydney. I can't imagine that they would be terribly happy at losing that investment, especially with the way the dispute about the salary cap in the Premiership is still rumbling on.

Matters recently do not appear to have gone on an even keel for Sam Burgess unfortunately, especially with regards to the very high profile World Cup that has fallen in this same time-scale.

Sam Burgess made the move to a high profile Rugby League club when he went from Britain to Australia, where league is a much higher profile sport than union. He should have stayed there and not changed codes.

 

[richw]

My wife, who rises earlier than me occasionally, said Nigel Owens received a mention on an early morning television channel this morning.
.

He's had more airtime today than the finalists. BBC news channel were running an interview with him every half hour or so.
I understand he is seen as a role model and inspiration in the GLBT sporting communities, as he has broken the trend regarding carrying on in sport after coming out.

 

[Kite159]

So well done New Zealand for winning the trophy again

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Australia did at least make more of a match of it in periods of the second half, fighting back from 17-3 to 17-14, but the All Blacks who were very strong in the first half then powered onwards after that point in the match and I feel the 34-17 final score was a true reflection of the whole 80 minutes. There seemed to be a number of the players who will see that match as their final World Cup.

Incidentally, it was good to see that Argentina had quite a good number of players in their early 20's, so that should give them something to build upon and Japan did well, winning three of their group stage matches, especially the one that shocked the "World of Union" so very early in the tournament.

I still see the most positive note to end the tournament upon is that we who have diligently watched the tournament on television will all be spared the voice () of that female "singer" () who ITV in a moment of madness had decided was the very person to sing the title song in advertisements, then had the sense only then to feature that particular ensuing cacophony in very small snippets in trails.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

​

So well done New Zealand for winning the trophy again

Yes congratulations to New Zealand/All Blacks, I am sorry of course that England did not do well and did not get through, hopefully they will learn from whatever went wrong and will do better at the 6 Nations which won't be too far off now. (I was hoping for an England/ABs final in this world cup, maybe next time?)

I guess Rugger fever will be in New Zealand for a few days, I bet they will get a good reception when they land, maybe get an open topped bus parade too.

I was bit worried towards the end as OZ seemed to have had a bit of a rally, but the ABs fought back.

I understand that New Zealand will be voting soon for a New Flag, I think it should be what has become a sort of unofficial flag, the Silver Fern on a Black background, (rather like when one goes upto the Newcastle upon Tyne area and you see their black & white stripes everywhere).

 

[prod_pep]

I still see the most positive note to end the tournament upon is that we who have diligently watched the tournament on television will all be spared the voice () of that female "singer" () who ITV in a moment of madness had decided was the very person to sing the title song in advertisements, then had the sense only then to feature that particular ensuing cacophony in very small snippets in trails.

The 'wonderful' Paloma Faith. I watched all of Wales' matches on ITV Cymru, who had the good sense to replace her snippets in the break buffers with a generic rugby theme. It really surprised me that the main ITV channel didn't do the same, because there were seemingly a fair few complaints about it.

All Blacks were awesome though as the tournament progressed and deserved it. It was nice for Carter to sign off with a big points haul after 2011, but maybe McCaw wants 150 caps, hence his hinting about carrying on.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Meanwhile, back to more mundane matters at home....

Aviva Premiership

Sale Sharks 20...Northampton Saints 13

A hard fought early season fixture that saw Sale score two tries to one by Northampton.

 

[Hornet]

I still see the most positive note to end the tournament upon is that we who have diligently watched the tournament on television will all be spared the voice () of that female "singer" () who ITV in a moment of madness had decided was the very person to sing the title song in advertisements, then had the sense only then to feature that particular ensuing cacophony in very small snippets in trails.

Looked as though I was lucky. Watched all the matches on TV3 here in Dublin. No caterwauling, (unless you count Uncle Fester aka Keith Wood). Plenty of analysis before and after the games, (up to two hours). We had this tune during the breaks. (Eircom being rebranded Eir).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX1pw1cn7fI

Unfortunately for the Irish it turns out to be a Scot's Gaelic tune!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

He is also said to be committed to staying with Bath! Typically of English sport, everyone seems to be trying to stab everyone else in the back. If Burgess is thought to be going back to league, that "proves" Lancaster was wrong to select him.

The news as just broken sees his immediate termination at Bath and an immediate return to Australian Rugby League with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. I note that he is engaged to a girl over there.

 

[Johnuk123]

Stuart Lancaster gone by mutual consent, no surprise there.

 

[DarloRich]

Stuart Lancaster gone by mutual consent, no surprise there.

no: he couldn't survive considering the level of performance given by his team at the world cup

 

[Antman]

Jonah Lomu has sadly died at the age of 40

 

[96tommy]

Jonah Lomu has died Age 40. One of the finest athletes of his generation, a "gentle giant". RIP

 

[507021]

Jonah Lomu has sadly died at the age of 40

A very sad loss, RIP.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Stuart Lancaster gone by mutual consent, no surprise there.

He has now been replaced by the 55 year-old Australian Eddie Jones who is the first overseas head coach to take charge of the England national side.
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European Rugby Challenge Cup

Sale Sharks 29....Pau 20

A closely contested first half ended with Sale just 14-13 in the lead but a stronger second half performance saw them victorious. Sale scored four tries to two by Pau.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Castres Olympique 10...Sale Sharks 17

Castres led 10-7 at half time, both sides having scored a try, but a good pressure by Sale Sharks saw them awarded a penalty try in the second half.

This win moves Sale into second place over Castes in Pool 2, behind Newport Gwent Dragons.

 

[richw]

Eddie Jones has got rid of Stuart Lancaster's left hand men. As yet the replacements unnamed, but based on the timing I expect to see Rob Baxter involved.

Eddie is in Devon to discuss "players" with Baxter, conveniently on the same day that it was announced the axe has fallen.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Aviva Premiership

Exeter Chiefs 33....Sale Sharks 17

In a match greatly influenced by the very strong windy weather, Sale were leading 17-10 early in the second half, but Exeter were very strong in their commitment in the final 20 minutes and eventually scored 4 tries to 2 by Sale.

The bonus point win temporarily takes Exeter Chiefs to the top of the table, pending later matches still to play this weekend.

 

[richw]

Aviva Premiership

Exeter Chiefs 33....Sale Sharks 17

In a match greatly influenced by the very strong windy weather, Sale were leading 17-10 early in the second half, but Exeter were very strong in their commitment in the final 20 minutes and eventually scored 4 tries to 2 by Sale.

The bonus point win temporarily takes Exeter Chiefs to the top of the table, pending later matches still to play this weekend.

I always look out for Exeter Chiefs results being my most local premiership team, despite being 100 miles away, I have been on a few occasions.
They are fine example of how to run a sustainable sports club, and one of few teams turning a profit each year.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Aviva Premiership

Sale Sharks 15...Wasps 9

The after-effects of many days of heavy rainfall on the playing surface of the pitch at the A J Bell stadium made for a match of attrition. There were some good running breaks from both sides but both the defences held firm.

All the match points came from penalties and drop goals. This result now sees Sale in 7th place and Wasps in 9th place in the league table.

 

[Greenback]

The Welsh derbies over the festive period appear to have been closely fought. I didn't see much of them at all, unfortunately, is anyone able to tell me if I missed anything exciting?